My leukemia's back.

[oldrooster]

Phil I realize in some cases they do procedures to extend life but you are in essence prolonging it in a short term fashion. It might be 6 months or 20 years but the Dr.s try to prolong it the best they can. I always have been one that thinks in a severe illness esp. cancer the one being treated should get 2-4 opinions and ask for projected outcomes. if it is a terminal situation the patient may choose a less invasive procedure for quality rather than quantity of life. The reason being in some cases if someone us either in uncontrolled pain, or not conscious life may be worthless to them and their loved ones as opposed to more time interacting them (even if they are alive 6 weeks and not 6 months most of which suffering or comatose). I hope I made myself clear to you folks and not offensive, that was not my intent at all.....

 

[getaclue]

Tramadol is decent for pain. As with most pain medications, it's an individual thing. It does not work on everyone. Try it for a couple weeks, and see how it does for you. As to making one loopy, that depends on a few things. I didn't find it made me loopy, but some people have to build a bit of tolerance for a few days, then the loopiness disappears. If it's still making you a bit loopy after a few days, do like bobbi-j suggested, and cut the dosage during the day, then take one full strength before going to bed.

 

[getaclue]

oldrooster, any oncologist worth their salt, always weighs longevity vs quality of life. Understand too, that the center point for the balance between longevity, and quality of life is not a fixed point. It changes. The majority of it depends on the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all case.

 

[N F C]

Right on point @getaclue "no one-size-fits-all".

When my uncle was diagnosed with throat cancer, he refused all medical intervention. Most of the family was outraged that he wouldn't prolong things as long as possible. I've always seen it as an individual's prerogative. Everyone needs support, whether we agree or not with how the affected person handles the situation.

 

[bruceha2000]

But they probably learned a lot from people like me.

I'm sure they did and many people have likely benefited from that.

I hope I made myself clear to you folks and not offensive, that was not my intent at all.....

Yep. But I think the mindset of the patient and their support structure has something to do with it as well. If your uncle got cancer, he might as well just lie down and die because he knows it is inevitable. Of course being alive is a terminal illness. Hopefully your SIL will get good information to make the best decisions for herself. May she live another healthy 40 years!

 

[drumstick diva]

Well said bruce

 

[Cynthia12]

oldrooster, any oncologist worth their salt, always weighs longevity vs quality of life. Understand too, that the center point for the balance between longevity, and quality of life is not a fixed point. It changes. The majority of it depends on the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all case.

So true..well said!

 

[Cynthia12]

I'm sure they did and many people have likely benefited from that.


Yep. But I think the mindset of the patient and their support structure has something to do with it as well. If you uncle got cancer, he might as well just lie down and die because he knows it is inevitable. Of course being alive is a terminal illness. Hopefully your SIL will get good information to make the best decisions for herself. May she live another healthy 40 years!

Yep, well said too ...

 

[Cynthia12]

I took Tramadol for both hips before I got them replaced. It was great pain relief and didn’t make me loopy. Tired, but not loopy. With the second hip, I’d take 1/2 of one right before I walked out the door to go to school so the tired would’t hit until I got there. It got me through the morning, then I would take another one at lunch to get me through the rest of the day. I’d take a whole one before bed. It relieved the pain and put me out.

Tramadol is one that I can ..handle..if needed. I usually don't want pain meds, even after surgeries. I just don't handle them. Most make me sick, or my head ..my head! Tramadol didn't make me as sick to the stomach. I didnt take anything after my shoulder surgery....ice! Helped a lot!

 

[Blooie]

I just picked up the Tramadol. Told him I was concerned about how I might react (I have the girls on Monday and need to be totally alert) and possible interactions with the other 18 doses of meds I take and he said the only one I needed to worry about was the Ambien, but if I take the Tramadol in place of it I probably wouldn’t need it anyway. We compromised and went with a 10 day supply rather than paying for a month’s worth, which I probably wouldn’t need anyway. He said he doesn’t like pain killers that take away all pain....often people who get that kind of relief start to overdo because it doesn’t hurt and end up aggravating the injury. Took one this morning, noticed less pain, and so far no issues. Fingers crossed.